A handout image made available by the media office of Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed al-Maktoum, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ruler of Dubai, on September 19, 2015, shows him (4thL) among officials and relatives mourning next to the body of his son Sheikh Rashed bin Mohammad during his funeral at Zabeel Mosque in Dubai. Sheikh Rashed died aged 34 of a heart attack on September 19, 2015. AFP PHOTO

ABU DHABI: Dubai announced a three day mourning period after the 33-year-old son of the Gulf emirate's ruler passed away, the official state news agency WAM said yesterday. Sheikh Rashid, son of the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, suffered a heart attack yesterday morning, the agency said. Sheikh Rashid, the eldest son of Sheikh Mohammed, was an avid sportsman and horse racing enthusiast. Rashid's brother Sheikh Hamdan is the Crown Prince of Dubai.

HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable yesterday to UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan expressing sorrow over the death of Sheikh Rashid. HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables.

Flags will remain at half-mast during the 3-day mourning period according to WAM. Sheikh Rashid was buried at the Umm Hurair cemetery in Bur Dubai yesterday evening following funeral prayers at the Zabeel Mosque. - Agencies